Talk and Text — and Crash

The Texas Department of Transportation launched its Talk, Text and Crash Campaign last week to urge drivers to put away their phones while behind the wheel. The TxDOT safety campaign is designed to draw attention to the dangers of distracted driving. The title says it all, putting talking and texting side-by-side with crashing, since they are so often closely related. However — although talking and texting are the focal points — the program warns against all types of distractions while driving, including:

Eating and drinking

Grooming

Reading

Using a navigation system

Changing the song on the radio or electronic device

Viewing a video

Distracted-Driving Stats Speak for Themselves

The statistics remain shocking even though I represent victims of distracted driving accidents daily. Last year, 100,917 distracted-driving accidents occurred in Texas, resulting in 483 deaths and more than 3,000 severe injuries. The number of distracted driving-related accidents increased in 2014 by six percent from the prior year. Sadly, the death toll from distracted driving crashes was highest in the 16 to 24 year old age bracket. At a time when these young people were excited about the future, they lost their lives because of one text or phone call that couldn’t wait.

But not just young people engage in this dangerous behavior. The Texas Transportation Institute said that almost 45 percent of Texas drivers admitted to cell phone use while driving, despite the fact that 83 percent of them agreed that talking on a cell phone while behind the wheel is dangerous. In other words, drivers understood the risk, but chose to ignore it.

Put an End to Distracted Driving

The “Talk, Text,
Crash” campaign dispels the multitasking myth. You cannot do another
task while driving. Your attention is diverted from the road, even for a split second, which is all the time it takes to crash.

The TxDOT deputy executive director explained:

“In Texas, texting, talking and other distractions cause nearly 1 in 5
traffic crashes. Through our ‘Talk, Text, Crash’ campaign we remind
drivers that talking, texting, eating or even changing the radio station while driving can lead to serious injury or death. Driving requires
your full attention. Anything less jeopardizes you, your loved ones and
everyone else on the road.”

The TxDot recommends
pulling over when safe to do so and parking your car before shifting
your focus to another task. So, if you must catch that call or answer
that text at that very moment, pull off the road and stop your vehicle
in a safe space.

Berenson Law Firm Supports Anti-Texting Efforts

Take this opportunity to put away your phone and set a good example for your children, parents, peers and other people you care about. Let’s put an
end to talking, texting and crashing. In my personal injury practice, Listening to my clients, I know all too well the heartbreak that distracted driving causes. I would
prefer for these cases to become a thing of the past.

If you were injured by a texting driver,
Berenson Law Firm can help you. Call my Dallas-Fort Worth law office
for a free claims evaluation and case strategy discussion.